Growing problems need exponential solutions

Our world is changing every day as technology advances at a pace we have never seen before. Every day comes with newer and bigger possibilities – as well as potential problems. 

At the Centre for Exponential Change (C4EC), we see this urgent need to inspire, channelize and promote ideas for social change that can keep pace with humanity’s evolving challenges.

It is time for change that inspires more and rapid change. This is what we call Exponential Change.

We are inspired by the planet’s largest living structure

We see an inspiring analogy for exponential change in the coral reef. 

Its ever-expanding and self-sustaining architecture, ensures that every change in the ecosystem, or its environment, creates ripples of positive change all along the reef.

Exponential change starts small, but has a big impact.

The chief architect of a reef stretching over a 1000 kilometers is a tiny half-inch creature. 

Collaboration plays a critical role in exponential change.

The original architect is joined by tens of thousands of diverse builders on the coral reef.

Exponential change offers incredible opportunities.

A living coral reef is a prime example of diversity, constant evolution and continuous growth. 

We create change together

At C4EC, we are building a movement that will change the world for the better. 

We are a community of social investors, philanthropists, technologists and network curators passionate about the roles we play. Collectively, we bring to the movement a wide spectrum of unique skills, technical expertise and professional experience. 

Our Co-Founders

Our main objective is to create a safe space in Brazil to learn and practice technology as a tool to scale solutions to inequality on a democratic basis. We also hope to reimagine and co-create an ecosystem where philanthropic organizations collaborate, incorporating platforms, technology and artificial intelligence into their strategies, as a way of multiplying solutions, together with civil society, the private sector and the government.

New Profit works to create access and opportunity for all to thrive. That requires us to unlock our collective ability to build a better future—together. Our aspiration for C4EC is to mobilise the energy, assets, and capabilities of the collective so we can equip problem solvers to respond faster than the pace of the problem—to move from systems change to systems health.

Our aspiration for the Centre for Exponential Change is to co-create a future where collaboration transcends boundaries in a shared mission. Together, it will support leaders and ignite systemic transformations, turning visionary ideas into scalable solutions for our most pressing global challenges. Through this collective endeavour, we hope it crafts a world marked by equitable growth, sustainability, and a thriving future for all.

In a world of increasing complexity and crisis, Skoll believes The Centre for Exponential Change is set up for success to listen to, resource, and connect system orchestrators across India, the US, Latin America, and Africa. This network will demonstrate for critical audiences what it takes to address root causes and develop systems-level solutions.

Waverley Street Foundation's mission is to cultivate a healthy, just, and joyful world where communities are key to unlocking climate solutions. Our aspiration for the Center for Exponential Change is to help bring people and ideas together to create practical, scalable solutions. By working together, we can build stronger, more resilient systems that support thriving communities and a healthier planet, so that both people and nature can flourish.

Advisors

Cristiane Sultani

Cristiane graduated in Law from Mackenzie University and holds a Master's in Banking Law. She previously held positions such as Wealth Planner and Head of Legal for Capital Markets and Corporate departments. In 2021, Cristiane founded BEJA Institute. As a philanthropist and impact investor, she is a member of the Instituto de Cidadania Empresarial (ICE), The Forward Global, and Synergos GPC.

Donald Gips

Donald Gips is the CEO of the Skoll Foundation. He sits on several boards, including Zayo Group, a fibre and internet infrastructure service provider; Liquid Telecommunication, a Pan‐African provider of fibre and telecommunications services led by Strive Masiyiwa, one of Africa’s preeminent entrepreneurs and philanthropists; and the President’s Council on International Affairs at Yale University.

Jared Blumenfeld

Jared Blumenfeld is a nationally recognized climate leader and President of Waverley Street Foundation, driving transformative climate solutions grounded in community action. As California’s Environmental Protection Secretary and Regional Administrator for the U.S. EPA, he spearheaded efforts to protect air, water, and land. Jared has worked across China, India, Europe, Africa, and the Americas to advance environmental health and deliver tangible benefits to communities.

Nandan Nilekani

Nandan Nilekani is the Co-Founder and Chairman of Infosys Limited. He was the Founding Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) in the rank of Cabinet Minister from 2009- 2014. Nandan has co-founded and is the Chairman of EkStep Foundation, a not-for-profit effort to create a learner-centric, technology-based platform to improve basic literacy and numeracy for millions of children.

Rohini Nilekani

Rohini Nilekani is an author and philanthropist and has been a strong influence in the Indian social sector over the past three decades. She founded Arghyam, a foundation for sustainable water and sanitation, and co-founded Pratham Books, a nonprofit enabling access to reading for millions of children. Currently, she is the Chairperson of Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies and a Co-founder and Director of EkStep, a nonprofit education platform.

Tulaine Montgomery

Tulaine is an entrepreneur, educator, writer, organizer & CEO of New Profit. She was a key architect of New Profit's proximity strategy to address the systemic funding gap overlooked social entrepreneurs face. She led initiatives focused on strengthening pathways to opportunity for underserved youth, driving resources & support to entrepreneurs impacted by the American legal system.

A network that empowers problem-solvers

C4EC works as part of a network that brings together the resources needed for solving global problems – including funding, knowledge and experience.

Investment Committee

Aarthi Ananthanarayanan

Designation

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Trevor Beaman

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Test Name

Designation

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Core Team

Aruna Venkatachalam

Chief, Leader’s Lab

Lakshmi Pattabi Raman

Chief - Fund Orchestration

Preeti Sunderajan

Chief, Networks and Partnerships

Priya Ajmera

Chief Evangelist

Rishika Gopinath

Lead – Content

Sanjay Purohit

CEO and Chief Curator

Shruti Rajagopalan

Head, Networks and Partnerships

Siddhartha Menon

Head, Marketing

Sreekar Gangisetty

Lead, Evangelist

Varsha Verma

Chief, Knowledge and Design

Co-Creation Team

Célia Cruz

Instituto Beja
CEO

Eliza Greenberg

New Profit
President

Gautam John

Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies
CEO

Horrara Moreira

Instituto Beja
PMO

Kai Carter

Waverley Street Foundation
Head of Global Programs

Nadir Shams

Skoll Foundation
Managing Director, Strategy and Learning

Shivani Garg Patel

Skoll Foundation
Chief Strategy Officer

Collaborators

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A deeper insight into our identity, mission, and the innovative ways we are building a network of support for system orchestrators.